The 2013-14 academic year featured exceptional accomplishments for UIC student-athletes. Over the summer months (June 2 – August 8), UICFlames.com will rewind and look back on the Top 40 Flames’ Moments from 2013-14. Each sport will be featured over ten weeks as we recap the year that was in UIC Athletics.

UIC opened Curtis Granderson Stadium with an 11-5 defeat to Wright State. Redshirt sophomore Conor Philbin was a bright spot for UIC as he went 3-for-4 from the plate. Senior Jeff Boehm belted his fourth home run of the season in the seventh inning with a solo shot over the left field wall.

LARGER PICTURE

- More than 800 friends and family of UIC baseball who were on-hand for the series opener against Wright State. - Granderson, a Flames’ Hall-of-Famer and current New York Mets outfielder, was in attendance to throw out the first pitch and cut the ribbon for the $10 million stadium. - Granderson’s gift of $5 million to UIC is the largest known one-time donation from a professional athlete to their alma mater, according to Sports Illustrated. - Curtis Granderson Stadium will not only be home for UIC baseball, but more importantly serve as the anchor for the Curtis Granderson Stadium Project, a youth initiative designed to aid children of Chicago. - Partnerships with Major League Baseball, the Chicago Public Schools and numerous youth league organizations have been established to provide youngsters with an opportunity to compete at Curtis Granderson Stadium and the adjoining athletic fields.